dave writes:

I just read that the wall switch is supposed to be a "special"
switch, that if a regular wall switch is used they will only last4-5
years.

Any body know anything about this?

The problem is likely that the switch switches power from the
thermocouple, not building AC. This is nice because the fireplace
switch will work even when the building power is out. But the
thermocouple puts out only a few millivolts, so the current flow through
the switch is only milliamps, and most switches are not designed for
that.

In "normal" switches, there is enough current to get a bit of arcing on
open and close, and that keeps the switch contacts clean. This doesn't
work when the current is milliamps. For this purpose, you need a switch
with gold contacts (which don't oxidize), or one where the contacts
mechanically wipe past each other each time the switch is operated.

Dave